With spring just around the corner, at least we hope it is, we thought we'd tackle the topic of cleaning. Boring, you might think, but also necessary. When it comes to vintage glasses, it's not just a case of bunging them in the dishwasher. In fact we might not allow you to adopt any more of our sparkly beauties if you did.
Most of the glasses we source have been gathering dust on the shelf or at the back of someone's sideboard for decades. We've come across more than our share of desiccated spiders and dead moths in the bottom of glasses too, which means we've really honed our cleaning skills over the years. Here are our top tips for keeping your vintage and antique glassware dazzlingly clean:
Everyday cleaning
Looked after carefully, your vintage or antique glasses should continue to serve you well for years to come as long as you follow a few simple rules. First of all, the don'ts. These are cardinal sins of glassware cleaning and are to be avoided at all costs.
Don't put your vintage or antique glassware into the dishwasher. The heat can crack the glass and the detergent can cause cloudiness. It's also a surefire way to fade or wash off any gilding or hand painted decoration.
While it's tempting to store your glasses upside down to avoid them gathering dust, this increases the risk of damaging the rim especially in more delicate pieces.
It may sound obvious but piling a lot of glasses in the washing up bowl is never a good idea. We always wash ours one at a time because it reduces the risk of breakages especially if you're a bit clumsy or are washing up at the end of the evening after a couple of cocktails. Experience tells us that under these circumstances it's always better to leave the washing up until the next morning.
Keeping your glassware in tip top condition is actually very simple.
Give it a wash with warm water and a gentle washing up liquid.
Always choose a soft cloth of sponge avoid scratching.
Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth for a sparkling finish.
If you've bought your glassware from Muddled Vintage, it will arrive beautifully cleaned but what if you've unearthed some treasure yourself and want to bring it back to its former glory?
We recommend starting with a basic clean as outlined above. That way you can check for any marks or damage. If your glassware needs further attention, try a glass cleaner (we prefer eco brands such as Method) or a gentle solution of white vinegar and water. Be patient and don't use any abrasive products or scouring sponges. It's also worth remembering that secondhand pieces may always show one or two signs of their past lives. We think that's part of their charm.
A note on decanters
Decanters are notoriously difficult to clean. If there are just traces of encrusted liquor inside you stand a pretty good chance of cleaning them. Invest in a decent set of bottle brushes for hard-to-reach areas (there are even specialist decanter brushes on the market) and a set of decanter beads. These are tiny ball bearings which you swirl around in the bottom of the decanter to help clean away any residue. Filling the decanter with water and a couple of denture tablets and leaving it to soak can also be surprisingly effective.
Sadly, if your decanter has bloom inside you may never be able to remove it. Bloom is when the glass develops a cloudy appearance, usually because it's been put away with its stopper on before it's fully dry. Beads and brushes will only go so far to get rid of bloom. You may just have to live with it. It won't affect whatever liquid you choose to store in yoru decanter and in most cases won't be visible when it's full.
In order to avoid bloom developing in future, make sure your decanter is fully dry before storing it. A simple way to do this is to make a long wick from kitchen roll and put in in the neck of decanter, making sure it reaches the bottom. You may need to do this a few times to make sure all of the moisture has been absorbed.
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